Sean Smith
Bill Polian - There are times when I watch Smith and think he can be an elite cornerback; there are other times when I watch him and think he shouldn't even be on the field. For proof, no cornerback gave up more combined first downs and touchdowns than Smith's 46.
Smith started the season playing well but finished poorly, reminding us how badly he played in 2011 where he had the second-lowest coverage grade of all cornerbacks. Smith is as talented as he is inconsistent, and for that reason teams should be hesitant to part with the big bucks for him.
Chris Early - Smith is the epitome of inconsistency. In some games, he looks like an elite corner capable of locking down anyone. In other games, he looks like a rookie. I think part of the problem is Smith is limited in coverage styles. He can be a devastating corner in press-man coverage. His size, strength, and speed can give him an advantage over receivers. In off-coverage (off-man and zone), his size works against him. Savvy receivers can exploit that. Therein lies the problem with Smith. His is a one-trick pony so to speak, even if he is very good at that one trick. Smith also has confidence issues. He looked lost in 2011, but displayed better maturity in 2012 and his play consequently improved. Smith has struggled with some confidence issues this season, though part of his struggles may be more scheme-related.
In any case, Smith has not displayed enough growth this season to warrant a big contract. He would likely get a big contract in free agency because cornerback is a premium position. While teams may not overpay with injury-prone players like with the Jake Long situation, team always seem to overpay for potential. Some team out there will believe they can turn Smith into a shutdown corner after all this time. Miami knows this. Sean Smith knows this. Miami has the leverage though and will franchise Smith to prevent him from leaving. While some players might balk at the tag and hold out, I doubt Smith would. The tag number for corners will be around $10M. That is not a bad price for a solid corner on what amounts to a one year tryout. If Smith continues to develop, Miami will be happy to sign him to a long term deal that will earn him top corner money. If Smith continues being inconsistent, Miami will let him walk in 2014 and move on.
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It would be a shame if we did have to use the Franshise tag on Smith, giving Sean 10 million even for one season is outrageous. I knew he suck at times but to give up the league worst combined 1st downs and touchdowns is just sickening. In the beginning of the year he seemed to be playing really well.
Isn't there a cornerback worth signing to a long term deal thats better than Smith. I know we allready needed one but Smith doesn't seem like he is the answer. Now we need 2.
Cornerback postion is just as bad or worse than the receiver position - Can't believe Omar Kelly use to sing this guy's praises, all you would hear and read is how well this guy is playing. 2nd lowest coverage grade 2011, 1st in giving up combined 1st downs and TD's in 2012. WTF it's worse than I thought.
We have to find a solid starting cornerback in FA and I'm sure were going to have to pay him. Were allready looking to upgrade our nickle and dime package guys, Marshall is on his way out, you can't pay a guy If he is on IR 80% of the time and even when he was playing he's not exactly starting corner material.
I thought we could at least use 2 or 3 draft picks to give the offense some firepower, now we will be lucky to get 1. 1WR 1CB 1OT thats what I see our first picks being used on now.
Ireland worst nightmare is OT Fisher is there, CB Banks runs slow forty, WR Allen knee is not 100% and scout's tell him Patterson really is a 2nd or 3rd round pick....
